The Pharmacy Technician National Certification Exam (ExCPT) is a step you can take to become recognized as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) and to increase your pay. Pharmacy industry magazines and organizations report that Certified Pharmacy Techs generally earn around 10-30% more income.
Technicians that pass the exam are granted the title of Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) and are recognized and valued by employers as having the skills to effectively work with Pharmacists in the typical duties related to dispensing medicines.
Numerous companies and businesses offer training for preparing for the Pharmacy Technician National Certification Exam. The Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians offers training, educational materials, study aides, practice exams and more to prepare for this exam. They have a free collection of comprehensive information on their website including:
This table is from their website and shows an example of exam content:
| 1. Regulations and Technician Duties (~25% of exam) | ||
| 1.1 Overview of technician duties and general information | ||
| 1.1.1 | The role of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians | |
| 1.1.2 | Functions that a technician may and may not perform | |
| 1.1.3 | Prescription department layout and workflow | |
| 1.1.4 | Pharmacy security | |
| 1.1.5 | Inventory control | |
| 1.1.6 | Stocking medications | |
| 1.1.7 | Identifying expired products | |
| 1.2 Controlled substances | ||
| 1.2.1 | Difference among the controlled substances schedules | |
| 1.2.2 | Refills, partial refills, filing, and prescription transfers | |
| 1.2.3 | Correct procedures for handling Schedule V sales | |
| 1.2.4 | Controlled Substance Act | |
| 1.2.5 | DEA numbers | |
| 1.3 Other laws and regulations | ||
| 1.3.1 | Federal privacy act | |
| 1.3.2 | Generic substitution (incl. brand vs. generic products) | |
| 1.3.3 | Professionals with prescribing authority (and acronyms) | |
| 1.3.4 | Child-resistant packaging | |
| 1.3.5 | Role of government agencies (Board of Pharmacy, DEA, FDA, etc.) | |
| 1.3.6 | Manufacturer drug package labeling | |
| 1.3.7 | OTC package labeling | |
| 2. Drugs and drug therapy (~23% of exam) | ||
| 2.1 Drug Classification | ||
| 2.1.1 | Major drug classes (e.g., analgesics, anesthetics, antibiotics, etc.) | |
| 2.1.2 | Dosage forms (types, characteristics and uses) | |
| 2.1.3 | Over-the-counter products | |
| 2.1.4 | NDC number | |
| 2.2 Most frequently prescribed medications | ||
| 2.2.1 | Brand and generic names | |
| 2.2.2 | Basic mechanism of action (pharmacology) and drug classification | |
| 2.2.3 | Primary indications | |
| 2.2.4 | Common adverse drug reactions, interactions, & contraindications | |